Staircase vs Elevator

Some months back, a minister in Singapore commented about keeping the “escalator” of social mobility moving, warning that when it stops, those caught in the middle, will develop a “pervasive anxiety” of trailing those advancing further ahead. Not to take this out of context but the concept of an “escalator” got me thinking. I certainly hope that Singaporeans do not simply expect to be placed on this “escalator” in life, stepping on and in no time, hoping to arrive at their designated goal.

Rather, I rather see life as a staircase. One step at a step. Have you even made a journey up a huge flight of steps, say to the top of a hilltop? Each step we make is sometimes a difficult one but when we come to a break, where there is a level ground with a bench to rest, we get comfortable, not wanting to move. But we look up and we find that there is still a way to go. Each additional step can be difficult, even painful, but it gets us closer to our goal. Each step gives us a new perspective. With each step, we take in a different breath.

Life is a little like this. After a year or two in a job, we get comfortable. We move to a new home, after a few years, we get comfortable. It is easy to get comfortable. Its what we call, reaching a norm.

When a shift happens, or an impending change arrives, we feel sense of discomfort, sometimes, even pain and fear. Imagine taking on a new assignment in a far away country. Or moving into a new home, in a new suburb? Or having to move into a completely new industry because of greater employment opportunities? There is definitely a level of uncertainty involved. How can we begin to see each step as a new exciting possibility? Yes, it requires some work. Yes, it involves some discomfort. Yes, it might mean having to address future unknowns. But isn’t that our journey in life?

Some of these steps we take might seem easier than others. Getting into university might seem a dream experience. However, I am sure many students did not fully anticipate the nights of slogging. To others, getting married is an exciting new step. However, I am sure, to many young couples, they do not see the years of joy and pain coming. Yet, many endure. Others fall out. To those who endured, they reach a new step of maturity in life. A new experience. A taste of something different.

Don’t forget though, that after a while, life gets comfortable again. There’s a new step to be taken. For some, it might be a mission trip after university. For others, it might be bringing up children. We take another step, and another step.

Don’t just take that comfortable next step. If you had always take your morning walk turning left to the same park, go the opposite direction tomorrow. With each uncomfortable step, we arrive at a new experience, a new norm. That’s life. Don’t expect an escalator to bring you there.